For first time in 2 weeks, West Virginians go back to school

Students, parents and teachers in West Virginia headed back to school Wednesday for the first time in nearly two week...

Posted: Mar. 7, 2018 10:12 AM

Updated: Mar. 7, 2018 10:12 AM

Students, parents and teachers in West Virginia headed back to school Wednesday for the first time in nearly two weeks after educators ended their strike.

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"I think it will really be fun to see my friends again," Wayne County third-grader Kayden Maynard told CNN affiliates WCHS/WVAH. "I like to play with my friends and learn."

School had been closed since February 22 when West Virginia teachers walked off the job to demand better pay and a fix to the state's embattled health care system known as the Public Employee Insurance Agency, or PEIA. West Virginia ranks 48th in the nation in terms of how much it pays its teachers, according to the National Education Association.

After nine consecutive days without school, state legislators approved a 5% pay increase to all state employees, including teachers and school staff, on Tuesday afternoon. In addition, Gov. Jim Justice agreed to set up a task force to address issues with PEIA.